Shark Tank India 4 season finale: Founder Rishi narrates how he lost his one arm at the age of 24 in a bus accident

The season finale of Shark Tank India 4 featured a special Divyang episode, focusing on entrepreneurs working towards disability-inclusive innovations. One of the standout pitches came from Rishi Krishna Iyer S and Niranjan Kuma Panigrahi, founders of Symbionic, a startup developing advanced prosthetic arms.
Rishi began his pitch by recounting a tragic incident that changed his life forever. In September 2018, at the age of 24, he lost his right arm in a devastating bus accident. Sharing his emotional journey, he said, “When I woke up in the hospital, I felt much lighter, but after several rehab sessions and experiencing phantom pain, I kept wondering—‘Is my life over? Have my dreams and goals shattered?’ Accidents keep happening, but I cannot stop living my life.”

Determined to reclaim his independence, Rishi searched for bionic arms but found that practical ones were too expensive, while the affordable options were ineffective. This struggle led him to take matters into his own hands—literally. Thus, Symbionic was born, with the mission to create affordable and efficient prosthetic arms for people like him.
Their ask was Rs 80 lakh for 2% equity. Curious about Rishi’s accident, Aman Gupta asked him to elaborate. Rishi explained, “During one of my volunteering trips with a fellow volunteer, I was traveling to Pondicherry by bus. A vehicle tried to overtake our bus, causing a sudden jerk. Blood was oozing out of my arm, and doctors later said that amputation was necessary to save my life.”

The duo also revealed their upcoming innovation—the Titan Bionic Arm, which is still under development. However, their business model raised concerns among the Sharks. Anupam Mittal, Srikant Bolla, Aman Gupta, and Chirag Nakrani opted out of the deal, advising them to launch their product first and then seek investment.
Namita Thapar, however, had a different vision. She saw potential in the startup and decided to take a chance. She offered Rs 40 lakh for 2% equity and Rs 40 lakh as debt at 10% interest for three years. She said, “I want to be a risk-taker with you. I want to bet on you and the innovation that India needs.”
The founders counter-offered: Rs 40 lakh for 1% equity + 1% advisory equity and Rs 40 lakh as debt at 10% interest for three years. Namita agreed to the deal, marking a significant milestone for Symbionic.
The episode ended on an inspiring note, celebrating resilience, innovation, and the power of believing in one’s dreams.